Perhaps the Horse of the Year title is not a foregone conclusion. Zenyatta gave the crowd what they waited for–and the patrons responded by cheering, clapping, and waving–as she ran her unbeaten streak to 14 with a magnificent performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 7 at Santa Anita.

Zenyatta looked uncomfortable for the first 200 yards and was last the first time by the stands, but she was flying down the stretch the second time and rolled by Gio Ponti to win the $5-million race.

Most voters had Rachel Alexandra penciled in as Horse of the Year but Zenyatta's victory over males has re-opened that argument.

Zenyatta was a bit reluctant to load, but the assistant starters had no problem getting her in the gate once they locked arms behind the big daughter of Street Cry and coaxed her forward